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Fernández Villalobos NV, Kessel B, Torres Páez JC, Strömpl J, Kerrinnes T, de la Hoz Restrepo FP, Strengert M, Krause G. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus in children and adolescents living in urban Bogotá: An explorative cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:981172. [PMID: 36844812 PMCID: PMC9943700 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.981172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)-related studies are carried out in adults whereas information about HEV seroprevalence, clinical disease manifestation, molecular epidemiology, and transmission patterns in children is limited. To estimate HEV seroprevalence among scholar children living in an urban setting and to analyze risk factors for an infection, we invited children aged 5-18 years from Bogotá (Colombia) for a cross-sectional survey. We collected self-reported data on demographics, social, clinical, and exposure variables in a structured interview. Venous blood samples were analyzed with two commercially available ELISAs for HEV-specific IgG antibodies. Among the 263 participants, we found three HEV IgG-reactive samples (1.1%) using both assays. We additionally characterized the samples for HEV IgM using a commercially available IgM ELISA and for HEV RNA. Here, we found one IgM-reactive sample, which was also reactive for IgG. In contrast, none of the IgM- and IgG-reactive sera samples showed detectable RNA levels indicating HEV exposure had not been recently. All participants reported access to drinking water and sanitary systems in their households and frequent hand washing routines (76-88%). Eighty percent of children reported no direct contact with pigs, but occasional pork consumption was common (90%). In contrast to the majority of studies performed in Colombian adults, we found a low unadjusted HEV seroprevalence of 1.1% (95% CI: 0.3-3.6%) for both HEV IgG ELISAs in our study population. While the majority of participants reported pork consumption, we speculate in the absence of viral RNA for genotyping in the affected individuals, that existing access to drinking water and sanitary systems within our study group contribute to the low HEV seroprevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbora Kessel
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Johanna Carolina Torres Páez
- Department of Epidemiology, PhD Programme, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig-Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Strömpl
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tobias Kerrinnes
- Department of RNA-Biology of Bacterial Infections, Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Monika Strengert
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany,Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, A Joint Venture of the Hannover Medical School and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany,*Correspondence: Monika Strengert ✉
| | - Gérard Krause
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany,Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, A Joint Venture of the Hannover Medical School and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site: Braunschweig-Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
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Elbahrawy A, Atalla H, Alboraie M, Alwassief A, Madian A, El Fayoumie M, Tabll AA, Aly HH. Recent Advances in Protective Vaccines against Hepatitis Viruses: A Narrative Review. Viruses 2023; 15:214. [PMID: 36680254 PMCID: PMC9862019 DOI: 10.3390/v15010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination has been confirmed to be the safest and, sometimes, the only tool of defense against threats from infectious diseases. The successful history of vaccination is evident in the control of serious viral infections, such as smallpox and polio. Viruses that infect human livers are known as hepatitis viruses and are classified into five major types from A to E, alphabetically. Although infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV) is known to be self-resolving after rest and symptomatic treatment, there were 7134 deaths from HAV worldwide in 2016. In 2019, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) resulted in an estimated 820,000 and 290,000 deaths, respectively. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a satellite virus that depends on HBV for producing its infectious particles in order to spread. The combination of HDV and HBV infection is considered the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is another orally transmitted virus, common in low- and middle-income countries. In 2015, it caused 44,000 deaths worldwide. Safe and effective vaccines are already available to prevent hepatitis A and B. Here, we review the recent advances in protective vaccines against the five major hepatitis viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Elbahrawy
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Hassan Atalla
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Alboraie
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Alwassief
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Muscat 123, Oman
| | - Ali Madian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Mohammed El Fayoumie
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Ashraf A. Tabll
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Center, Giza 12622, Egypt
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), Cairo 11517, Egypt
| | - Hussein H. Aly
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama1-23-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence Indicated a Significantly Increased Risk Selectively in Patients with Gastric Cancer among 17 Common Malignancies. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12020437. [PMID: 36675366 PMCID: PMC9861101 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The impact of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection on cancer development has been poorly investigated. This study aimed to explore the relationship between HEV seroprevalence and cancer risks and to identify high cancer risk subgroups in HEV-exposed populations. Methods: HEV seroprevalence status was determined in cancer and non-cancer subjects. Logistic regression and sensitivity analyses were used to assess the relationship between HEV antibody seropositivity and cancer risk for 17 cancer types. Additionally, interaction analyses were applied to interpret the association of HEV seroprevalence and other cancer risk factors. Results: Of the enrolled 4948 cancer and 4948 non-cancer subjects, cancer subjects had a higher anti-HEV seropositivity than non-cancer subjects (46.36% vs. 32.50%, p < 0.01). However, this divergency varied in degrees across different cancer types. Additionally, HEV seroprevalence was associated with cancer risk in young males (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.19−2.27, p < 0.01). Remarkably, a significant association between HEV seroprevalence and cancer risk was observed only in gastric cancer patients (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.07−3.09, p = 0.03). Conclusions: HEV seroprevalence was associated with cancer risk selectively in gastric cancer patients and young males, suggesting that cancer screening, particularly gastric cancer, should be regularly performed in young males with a history of HEV exposure.
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A Randomized Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Serological Survey of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Belgian Pig Farms. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010129. [PMID: 36677421 PMCID: PMC9863458 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E disease in humans. While sporadic HEV infections, which occur in industrialised countries and are typically due to HEV genotypes 3 or 4, are asymptomatic and self-limiting, a chronic form of the disease can lead to liver cirrhosis in immunocompromised individuals. Pigs share HEV 3 and 4 genotypes and are thus considered a major animal reservoir for human infection. A subset of animals has been shown to carry HEV particles at the age of slaughter, rendering raw or undercooked pig products potential vectors for human infection. To provide an overview of the current dissemination of HEV in Belgian pig herds, this study was designed as a randomized, robust, large-scale, cross-sectional, serological survey. HEV genotypes and subtypes recently circulating in Belgium (2020-2021) were investigated. Sample stratification as well as epidemiological investigation through the available demographic data of the sampled herds showed that HEV widely circulated in the Belgian pig population during this time and that a change in the circulating HEV strains may have occurred in the last decade. Herd size and type were identified as risk factors for HEV herd-seropositivity. Identifying farms at risk of being HEV-positive is an important step in controlling HEV spread and human infection.
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Aziz AB, Øverbø J, Dudman S, Julin CH, Kwon YJG, Jahan Y, Ali M, Dembinski JL. Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Synopsis: General Aspects and Focus on Bangladesh. Viruses 2022; 15:63. [PMID: 36680103 PMCID: PMC9866510 DOI: 10.3390/v15010063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
HEV is the most common cause of acute hepatitis globally. This review summarizes the latest knowledge on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, testing, and treatment of HEV infection. We also focused on Bangladesh to highlight the distinct challenges and the possible remedies. In low-income settings, the virus is mainly transmitted between people by fecal contamination of drinking water causing large outbreaks, and sporadic cases. The disease is usually mild and self-limiting acute hepatitis. Still, pregnant women and their offspring in low-income countries are at particular risk for severe disease, with up to 20% maternal mortality. Despite the high burden of the disease, HEV remains a relatively neglected virus, with detection hampered by costly tests and a lack of suitable treatments. Molecular PCR diagnostics, together with ELISA antibody tests, remain the preferred methods for diagnosis of HEV; however, rapid bedside diagnostics are available and could offer a practical alternative, especially in low-income countries. One vaccine (HEV 239) is only available in China and Pakistan, as efficacy against the other genotypes remains uncertain. The effectiveness trial conducted in Bangladesh might lead the way in gathering more efficacy data and could, together with improved surveillance and raised awareness, dramatically reduce the global burden of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Binte Aziz
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
- International Vaccine Institute (IVI), Seoul 08800, Republic of Korea
| | - Joakim Øverbø
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Susanne Dudman
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathinka Halle Julin
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Yasmin Jahan
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-0046, Japan
| | - Mohammad Ali
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Dembinski
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
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Rosca O, Bumbu BA, Ancusa O, Talpos S, Urechescu H, Ursoniu S, Bloanca V, Pricop M. The Role of C-Reactive Protein and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting the Severity of Odontogenic Infections in Adult Patients. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 59:medicina59010020. [PMID: 36676644 PMCID: PMC9866968 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Odontogenic infections (OI) represent a frequent cause of dental and maxillo-facial interventions, mostly due to late presentations or misdiagnosed complications. It is believed that the intensity of the immunoinflammatory response in OI is the main prognostic factor. Therefore, in this research, it was pursued to determine if the combination of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) (CRP-NLR) may serve as potential severity predictors in patients with odontogenic infections. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis on 108 patients hospitalized for odontogenic infections was conducted at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery. Depending on the symptom severity scale, patients hospitalized with OI were divided into two equal groups based on infection severity (SS). Results: Patients with severe OI from Group B were associated more frequently with diabetes mellitus and smoking more often than those with a lower severity from Group A. In Group A, abscesses of odontogenic origin accounted for 70.4% of hospitalizations, while in Group B, abscesses and cellulitis were associated in 55.6% of cases (p-value < 0.001). The disease outcomes were more severe in Group B patients, where 22.2% of them developed sepsis, compared to 7.4% of Group A patients (p-value = 0.030). However, there was no significant difference in mortality rates. The SS and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) scores of Group B patients were substantially higher than Group A patients (13.6 vs. 6.1 for the SS score, p-value < 0.001), respectively, 2312.4 vs. 696.3 for the SII score (p-value < 0.001). All biomarker scores, including the CRP-NLR relationship, were considerably higher in Group B patients, with a median score of 341.4 vs. 79.0 in Group B (p-value < 0.001). The CRP-NLR association determined a 7.28-fold increased risk of severe OI. The receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis of CRP-NLR yielded an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.889, with high sensitivity (79.6%) and high specificity (85.1%), for predicting a severe odontogenic infection using biomarkers measured at hospital admission (p-value < 0.001). Conclusions: Therefore, it can be concluded that CRP-NLR is a reliable and affordable biomarker for determining the severity of odontogenic infections that may be included in other prognostic models for dental infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovidiu Rosca
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Bogdan Andrei Bumbu
- Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, University Street 1, 410087 Oradea, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Oana Ancusa
- Department V, Discipline of Medical Semiology I, Faculty of General Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Serban Talpos
- Discipline of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Horatiu Urechescu
- Discipline of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Sorin Ursoniu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Vlad Bloanca
- Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Pricop
- Discipline of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Hrubaru I, Motoc A, Moise ML, Miutescu B, Citu IM, Pingilati RA, Popescu DE, Dumitru C, Gorun F, Olaru F, Erdelean I, Forga M, Nicolae N, Citu C. The Predictive Role of Maternal Biological Markers and Inflammatory Scores NLR, PLR, MLR, SII, and SIRI for the Risk of Preterm Delivery. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236982. [PMID: 36498555 PMCID: PMC9738289 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In many countries, preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation, is the primary cause of infant death and morbidity. An increasing body of research suggests that inflammation (both clinical and subclinical) plays a significant role in inducing preterm labor or developing pregnancy problems that lead to premature birth. Consequently, the purpose of this research was to determine the predictive value of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), derived Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (dNLR), Monocytes-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR), Platelets-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), for premature delivery. A retrospective study analyzed a total of 243 eligible pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth during 2020 and 2021. A control group without a history of preterm birth was matched by age and trimester of laboratory analysis at a 1:1 ratio. Although the number of comorbidities was similar among study groups, the body-mass index estimated for the week of gestation was significantly higher among the patients from the prematurity group, as well as the prevalence of urinary tract infections and smoking. Laboratory data showed that patients with a preterm birth had significantly higher white blood cell count and monocytes, but significantly lower lymphocytes, platelets, and hemoglobin. The NLR, dNLR, PLR, and MLR scores showed to be significantly higher among patients from the prematurity group, but SII and SIRI were not significantly different between the study groups. It was observed that the AUC values of NLR, dNLR, PLR, and MLR were higher than 0.600, respectively NLR had the highest value among the tested scores (AUC = 0.694) and the highest sensitivity in this study (71%). The highest sensibility was achieved by dNLR, with 70%, and an AUC value of 0.655 (p-value = 0.022). PLR had the second-highest AUC value (0.682) and the best score in terms of sensitivity (70%) and sensibility (69%) (p-value = 0.015). Lastly, MLR had the lowest significant AUC score (0.607) and lowest sensitivity/sensibility. The significant cut-off values for the inflammatory scores were 9.0 for NLR, 9.8 for dNLR, 250 for PLR, and 4.07 for MLR. After evaluating the importance of these inflammatory scores, further clinical applications should be conducted to confirm the results and improve therapy and care to reduce the burden of premature deliveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Hrubaru
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andrei Motoc
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Liviu Moise
- Department of Radiology, “Premiere” Hospital—“Regina Maria”, Calea Aradului 113, 300643 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Bogdan Miutescu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Premiere” Hospital—“Regina Maria”, Calea Aradului 113, 300643 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Mihaela Citu
- Department of Internal Medicine I, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Raja Akshay Pingilati
- Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Suraram Main Road 138, Hyderabad 500055, India
| | - Daniela-Eugenia Popescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Neonatology, Premiere Hospital, Regina Maria Health Network, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Catalin Dumitru
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florin Gorun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Flavius Olaru
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Izabella Erdelean
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Forga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Nicoleta Nicolae
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cosmin Citu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Calibrating Hepatitis E Virus Serological Assays Using Asymptomatic Specimens Obtained in Japan. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0214622. [PMID: 36125314 PMCID: PMC9603090 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02146-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to calibrate hepatitis E virus (HEV) serological assays. We optimized the previously developed in-house HEV antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by setting the cutoff with an in-house serological performance panel consisting of broad HEV antibody titers and subtracting nonspecific background values for anti-HEV IgM, IgA, and IgG. We also compared the assay's performance with that of commercial serological assay kits (four kits for IgM, one for IgA, and two for IgG). Although all serological assays readily detected HEV antibodies at high titers in the symptomatic hepatitis E population, considerable variations between assays were observed in the asymptomatic population. The in-house ELISA showed a higher sensitivity for HEV IgM, IgA, and IgG than the commercial kits and detected the seroconversion of HEV IgM and IgG earlier when testing a commercially available HEV seroconversion panel. The low sensitivity of the commercial kits was due to the high setting of the original cutoff, which was demonstrated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. However, the corrected cutoff value reduced assay specificity. Background subtraction is essential to achieve high specificity because the in-house ELISA without background subtraction reduced its specificity. These results indicate that asymptomatic specimens and background subtraction contribute to the optimization of HEV serological assays. IMPORTANCE Accurate diagnosis of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is essential for public health surveillance and for preventing HEV-contaminated blood transfusion. Anti-HEV IgM or IgA is used as a reliable marker of recent HEV infection. However, considerable variability in the sensitivity and specificity of HEV antibody detection is observed among several commercially available assay kits. In addition, none of the HEV antibody detection methods have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here, we show that the in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could detect HEV IgM and IgA more sensitively than commercial kits in the asymptomatic population. We also suggest that the assay performance of commercial kits might be improved by optimizing the cutoff and reducing nonspecific background noise. A sensitive serological (IgM or IgA) assay in addition to HEV RNA testing will contribute to accurate diagnosis of acute HEV infection because HEV RNA-positive duration is relatively short.
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Mustafa ZU, Bashir S, Shahid A, Raees I, Salman M, Merchant HA, Aldeyab MA, Kow CS, Hasan SS. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Pakistan: A Multicentric, Prospective, Survey-Based Study. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112344. [PMID: 36366442 PMCID: PMC9694328 DOI: 10.3390/v14112344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the vaccination status and factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women in the largest province of Pakistan. A multicentric, prospective, survey-based study using an interviewer-administered tool was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics between 1 December 2021 through 30 January 2022 across seven hospitals in Pakistan. The healthcare professionals providing care at the participating hospitals administered the survey. Four hundred and five pregnant women fully consented and completed the study. The majority of the study participants (70.6%, n = 286) were aged between 25 and 34 and had a previous successful pregnancy history. More than half of the study participants (56.0%, n = 227) did not receive COVID-19 vaccination at the time of data collection despite their family members (93.9%, n = 372) had already received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Among those who received COVID-19 vaccination (n = 173), vaccine efficacy, protection for the foetus, and risk of COVID-19-associated hospitalisation were the main driving factors for vaccine hesitancy. The majority of the unvaccinated women (77.8%, n = 182) had no intention of receiving the vaccine. However, more than two-thirds (85.7%, n = 342) consulted the doctor about COVID-19 vaccines, and most were recommended to receive COVID-19 vaccines by the doctors (80.7%, n = 280). Women were significantly more likely to be vaccinated if they had employment (odds ratio [OR] 4.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.31-8.64) compared with their counterparts who were homemakers, consulted their doctors (OR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04-0.35), and if they did not have pregnancy-related issues (OR 6.02, 95% CI: 2.36-15.33). In this study, vaccine hesitancy was prevalent, and vaccine uptake was low among pregnant women. Education and employment did impact COVID vaccination uptake, emphasising the need for more targeted efforts to enhance the trust in vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zia Ul Mustafa
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacy Services, District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Pakpattan 57400, Pakistan
| | - Shazma Bashir
- School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, Stratford Campus, London W1S 3PR, UK
| | - Arfah Shahid
- Department of Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Raees
- Department of Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Salman
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Allied Health Sciences, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Hamid A. Merchant
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Mamoon A. Aldeyab
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Chia Siang Kow
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (C.S.K.); (S.S.H.)
| | - Syed Shahzad Hasan
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
- Correspondence: (C.S.K.); (S.S.H.)
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